ISOO Symposium DVD Now Available

To mark the 10th anniversary of the Executive Order 12958,
as amended, "Classified National Security Information," (the Order),
that governs the classifying and declassifying of information, the Information
Security Oversight Office (ISOO) held a public
symposium on October 18, 2005. The symposium, entitled, "Classified
National Security Information: The Vision, The Reality, The Future," was
attended by Federal employees having responsibilities for information security
issues, researchers, historians, and members of the media.

Symposium speakers discussed and explored
the framework of the Order, Executive Order 12958, as amended which took effect
in October 1995. The speakers reviewed the Executive order's impact to date,
and assessed the challenges remaining to fully implement its provisions, particularly
pertinent to automatic declassification.

The symposium's keynote speaker address was provided by former Rep. Lee H.
Hamilton, vice chair of the 9/11 Commission. After the keynote address, two
panels explored the challenges of achieving the right balance of a responsible
classification system and a committed declassification program, cornerstones
of an open and efficient government that serves both to protect and to inform
its citizens. To acquire a DVD of the symposium, please e-mail isoo@nara.gov.